Senior Wales players met with manager Chris Coleman and urged him to stay on as manager in the immediate aftermath of Wales' crushing defeat against Ireland last night.

Coleman’s contract – signed a month before the historic run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 – was agreed to expire at the end of the current campaign, with the former defender having initially said it would be the right time to walk away.

The 47-year-old has subsequently edged away from that stance and admitted he was not sure of his future as he spoke following the 1-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland that ended hopes of qualifying for Russia 2018

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Coleman is expected to take charge of next month’s planned home friendly with opposition to be confirmed, but talks are planned between the popular figure and the FAW, as well as a review of the recent campaign.

Coleman has been attracted by a return to club football and would be able to command significantly higher wages should he do so, but senior players, thought to include Gareth Bale and Ashley Williams, stressed the squad are keen for the manager to remain in place ahead of the new UEFA Nations League competition and the Euro 2020 qualifiers.

Defender Chris Gunter said the FAW should be prepared to offer him the deal to persuade him, saying: “He's been a massive part of what we've done and he is the man to take us forward hopefully.

"If the powers that be can give him a really good contract and make him stay, he can carry on being the greatest Welsh manager of all time.

“After the game he thanked us for our efforts over the last 10 days, but I think everyone in Wales – fans and players – would want to see him 100 per cent stay on.

“We all have to go back to our clubs now and we'll be told what's happening in the next two or three weeks. But I'm sure the message would be from the whole squad that we want him to sign a new contract. We want him to stay because what he's given this nation is something that's never been done before. Why you'd want him to leave I'm not too sure.”